Tipperary carried the momentum of last year's promotion from Division 3 as they won the first inter-county football game in the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.

Three second-half goals, two from Liam McGrath and one by Michael Quinlivan, helped Liam Kearns' side to victory, with an unanswered 2-4 giving them a lead they would not relinquish.

Tipp have become something of a thorn in Cork's side in recent years - they won in the McGrath Cup in Páirc Uí Rinn in 2013, and in 2014 it took a late Cork surge to claim victory in the Munster championship. That was followed by a home win in Thurles in 2016 and they almost went back-to-back last year.

This win shouldn't be seen as too much of a shock, though. While Tipp were able to field a seasoned side, even without the injured pair of Philip Austin and Paddy Codd, Cork started with six league debutants. Though the Rebels overturned an early 0-4 to 0-1 deficit to lead by 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time, they had no answer to Tipp in the second period.

After Steven O'Brien's opener for Tipp was cancelled out by Seán White for Cork, the visitors made use of the wind as Liam McGrath, Michael Quinlivan ('45) and Jack Kennedy all pointed, while Josh Keane drew a good save from one of the Cork new boys, goalkeeper Mark White, brother of Seán.

Seán White got his and his county's second point on ten minutes and, after Ruairí Deane fisted home a disallowed goal, Cork added another five points without reply. Mark Collins, playing in a two-man inside forward line with Stephen Sherlock, had three while John O'Rourke also got on the scoresheet. On the half-hour, Ruairí Deane made it 0-9 to 0-6 when another debutant, Daniel O'Callaghan, set him up, but Kennedy converted a free for distance for Tipp and then Liam Boland got on the scoresheet to make it 0-9 to 0-8.

In added time, Cork had a great chance to extend their advantage when Seán Powter, who would have had a goal chance but for Robbie Kiely's illegal challenge. Sherlock's penalty was well saved by Evan Comerford, though. Sherlock showed he wasn't affected by the miss as he began the second half with two points, but Tipp were building momentum and, after Liam McGrath and Mark Collins exchanged points, they opened up a 2-13 to 0-12 lead.

McGrath and Quinlivan had the goals while Conor Sweeney almost netted too, his shot coming back off the crossbar. That was just before McGrath's strike made it 1-10 to 0-12 and points from Sweeney and Brian Fox had them three in front. Then Josh Keane forced a turnover to create the chance which Quinlivan beautifully finished with a curler.

Cork ended their drought when sub Colm O'Neill was able to palm home from close range. O'Neill and Sherlock had points as Cork came back to within two but McGrath gave Tipp breathing space again and then got his second goal late on to put the outcome beyond doubt.